Steelers training camp report

August 03, 2013

AP photo

The atmosphere was electric at St. Vincent College on Friday night as nearly 20,000 people packed the campus to watch the Steelers first evening practice of training camp.

Fans were treated to a variety of activities throughout the day as a part of the Latrobe Steelers Fan Fest, and the Gatorade Junior Training Camp brought young fans in to learn the basics of the game, according to the team’s website, steelers.com.

But what everyone was waiting for was the practice portion, and the team didn’t disappoint.

As players and coaches took the field they signed autographs for fans that lined the field, including Coach Mike Tomlin who jumped into the bleachers to sign.

When the horn sounded, though, it was all business.

“We had good, spirited work by our guys again today,” said Tomlin. “A few bumps and bruises along the way. Some guys weren’t able to finish in some form or fashion, but nothing of any significance. They need to take care of their bodies. The only way they are going to get better and we will get better collectively, is if they do everything in their power to stay on the field. We are going to encourage them to do that. We are also going to assist them in that, give them the proper time to do so and obviously provide the types of services necessary for that to happen.

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“I liked the energy and enthusiasm. We are continuing to grow and develop. We’ve got some things to work on in all three phases and we will hopefully continue to do that tomorrow.”

The Steelers signed veteran free agent offensive tackle D’Anthony Batiste to a one-year contract, the team announced on Saturday.

Batiste was undrafted in 2004 out of Louisiana-Lafayette and played one season for the Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings in the Arena Football League’s developmental league. He was signed by the Edmonton Eskimos during the Canadian Football League’s preseason in 2006, but was released prior to the start of the regular season.

Batiste signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an unrestricted free agent in 2006. He has also spent time with the Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons, Washington Redskins, Denver Broncos and Arizona Cardinals. He has played in 37 games and made 14 starts in his NFL career.

To make room for Batiste on the roster, the Steelers placed rookie guard Nik Embernate on the Waived/Injured List.